Opening scene shows a man being roughed up by a group of men in an alleyway. A slate comments (in French) that when nations are bellicose, an assassination can cause a world war. Next, a slate shows picture of the world and states (in English) "One murder may start a world war." Another slate (in French) states that In 1914, while Europe's armies and fleets were more powerful than they had ever been, the nephew of the Emperor of Austria (Archduke Ferdinand) was assassinated. A front page is shown of newspaper, "Journal De Geneve" carrying the story. Next scene is a view of the city of Sarajevo. The ancient Emperor's Mosque dominates the scene. A slate appears asking Where is Sarajevo? It is followed by a map of Europe in 1914, which zooms in on Austria and Serbia and identifies and labels Sarajevo,in Austria, close to the Serbian border. Slates (in French) says Austria accused Serbia of War and other nations enter the melee. Animated World map shows the nations getting involved, starting with the German Empire in 1914, including its African colonies, and then successively showing Russia, France, Belgium,Great Britain, Japan, and the Ottoman Empire. Map advances to 1915, showing the Italian empire, Bulgaria,and Central Arabia. In 1916 it adds Portugal, Roumania. Next, the U.S.A. is added in, 1917, along with Central and South America, Greece, Siam, and China. Finally, the slate shows the war ending in 1918. Slate shows Armistice Day, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th Month (November), with time shown on hands of Big Ben in London.

German invasion of Eastern European countries during World War II. Maps of Manchuria and Ethiopia. Newspaper headlines. Maps of various European countries conquered by Nazi Germany including Poland. Newspaper printing press running. Newspaper headlines declaring war against Germany. Herald newspaper headline reads, WAR. Animated map of Germany shows the Nazi symbol spreading across Europe with fire. German Chancellor Adolf Hitler and officers at a map as they confer. Maps of Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Hungarian pheasant farmers gather grain in Hungary. Ore car heaped with bauxite in Hungary. Aluminum sheet rolling down conveyor belt. German aircraft parked in line with propellers spinning. Hungarian soldiers marching in parade with crowd giving Nazi salute. Grain pouring into holding bin. Oil derricks in Romania. Romanian soldiers marching in parade. Animated map depicts the importance of cities of Varna and Burgas in Bulgaria for their submarine bases in the Black Sea. Admiral Miklos von Nagybanya Horthy of Hungary, Prime Minister of Romania General Ion Antonescu, King Michael of Romania and King Boris of Bulgaria. Newspaper headlines include 'Bulgarian King Joins Axis', "Bulgarian Revolts Bring 1200 Arrests', 'Riots Sweep Romania', and 'Hungarian Revolt Brewing' German motorcycles with sidecars driving into Hungary. German artillery being towed into Hungary. German soldiers driving halftracks drive into Romania and Bulgaria. Animated map depicts the plan for invasion of Greece.

Various Balkan League leaders. King Peter I of Serbia talks to another man. They sit on chairs in an elaborately decorated tent. They sit in a horse carriage. Men stand in the background. The Tsar of Bulgaria, Ferdinand I, in view. He sits in a carriage. Men riding horses. Troops lined on a street. Men stand on the balcony of a building. King Carol I of Romania walks with the Queen. They walk through a garden and stand near a bench.

Bulgarian King greets government and military officials in Sofia, Bulgaria. King Boris III of Bulgaria greets the officials. Bulgarian troops march with rifles in hands. The officials review troops and salute. Bulgarian Prime Minister, Bogdan Dimitrov Filov also among the dignitaries.